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Teenager determined to help Ted Cruz become president

WASHINGTON -- It's the start of a new school year, and C.J. Pearson is a busy guy.

The conservative social media star from Georgia is enlisting fellow teenagers across the country to help Sen. Ted Cruz win the Republican presidential nomination.

He's also running for re-election as student council president and just started eighth grade.

Coreco JaQuan Pearson, 13, is the chairman of Teens for Ted. His mission: persuade high schoolers to spread the gospel of Cruz to eligible voters who care about them -- and in some cases, take care of them.

"The internet allows really anyone to have a voice and build a following, and C.J. is a great example," said Cruz campaign spokesman Rick Tyler. "He can make a real difference. He's kind of the model that we want others to follow."

At Pearson's fingertips is an immense social media following he attracted in February. When former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani questioned how much President Barack Obama loved America, Pearson defended him with a YouTube video.

Pearson, an only child, lives in Grovetown, Ga., with his grandparents, Willie, 51, a contractor for the state energy department, and Robin, 54, who stays at home.

Pearson said politics first piqued his interest in 2008, when his first-grade class held a mock presidential election. He was awed by Sen. John McCain's military service and started following political news.

He decided in early 2014 that he wanted to be a political strategist, but he didn't become a Republican until he started learning about the party's principles.

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"Government that governs least governs best," Pearson said. "Conservatism resonates with me because I've seen firsthand the damaging effects big government can have on our America and to be quite frank, I don't like it one bit," citing his experience with Common Core education standards.

Pearson said he plans to join the local school board as soon as he graduates high school, and then work behind the scenes in politics after college before he runs for office. Though his relatives are Democrats and want Vice President Joe Biden to run in 2016, Pearson said they support his work with Cruz, even if they won’t vote for him.

Before his ascent to stardom, Pearson volunteered for local Republicans Sen. David Perdue, Rep. Rick Allen and Gov. Nathan Deal in 2014. He then founded Young Georgians in Government, and convinced state legislators to introduce a bill to lower election ages for the state house.

Now, Pearson is tapping into his fan base for Cruz, seeking out other politically minded youngsters to build a national network. They'll use Twitter and Instagram to sell their contemporaries on the senator.

And those teens can then lean on the eligible voters they interact with every day.

Pearson said Cruz has a natural appeal to teens -- he drives elders crazy.

"He's a bold person. He's really someone who's led on issues and stood up to everyone," said Pearson, comparing Cruz to current Republican front-runner Donald Trump. "That's something a lot of young teenagers are looking for."

Cruz said as much last week, when he announced Pearson’s role as chairman of Teens for Ted.

"Young people are looking for someone who does more than just talk a good game. They want someone who has walked the walk," said Cruz, recounting his 2013 fight against increasing the federal government’s borrowing limit, which he ultimately lost. “They’re looking for a fighter. But most importantly, they’re looking for someone who cares.”

After meeting Cruz at a state party convention, Pearson contacted David Sawyer, a regional director for the Cruz campaign, about getting involved.

The campaign made sure Pearson and his family were comfortable with the role and then welcomed him on board, Tyler said.

Pearson's network can help Cruz stand out to voters in a crowded Republican field, the spokesman said. If stump speeches and ads don't resonate with voters, their children or younger siblings might.

"The message is, 'I am the future and the future is your hands, and I'm really encouraging you to vote for Ted Cruz,' " Tyler said.

The teen network is also an extension of a campaign that encourages organic, un-orchestrated and often unrefined connections. When heavily altered posters of a shirtless, muscled and tattooed Cruz popped up in Los Angeles, the senator embraced them.